A clutch mechanism for coupling and uncoupling an electric motor and leadscrew has dog-clutch gears that can be engaged by a linear actuator, bell crank, and linkage shaft. Uncoupling force due to narrowed dog teeth are resisted by the alignment of the linkage shaft with the central portion of the bell crank.

The technology relates to assisting in the closing of a vehicle door by automatically pulling a door closed. One or more computing devices having one or more processors may receive, from one or more sensors, information indicating that a door on the vehicle is not closed. In response to the received information indicating that the door is not closed, the one or more computing devices may determine to send a triggering signal to close the door. The one or more computing devices may send the triggering signal to the actuator and the actuator may receive the triggering signal. In response to receiving the triggering signal the actuator may be activated to close the door of the vehicle without user input.

A vehicle door hinge for a vehicle door opening vertically includes a first hinge part attached to a vehicle frame having a pivot attachment means, a second hinge part attached to the door attached to the pivot attachment means to allow the second hinge part to rotate the door in an opening or closing direction, a stopper part attached to the pivot attachment means at a distance from a mass centre of the stopper part, a locking mechanism for locking the stopper part position relative the second hinge part. The locking mechanism is moveable between an unlocked position and a locked position. The stopper part in the unlocked position is arranged to be moved by gravity to a resting position where it is adjacent or abutting the first hinge part and stopped by the first hinge part from rotating in the opening direction but free to rotate in the other direction.

A guide apparatus for guiding a furniture part, in particular a sliding door or folding-sliding-door, including a guide rail and a chassis which can be connected to the furniture part and which can travel on the guide rail. The chassis has a load-bearing roller, mounted about a first rotation axis, for supporting the weight of the furniture part and a supporting roller for laterally guiding the furniture part. The supporting roller is rotatably mounted about a second rotation axis which is oriented transverse to the first rotation axis, and a support apparatus is separate from the at least one supporting roller, and is designed to relieve the supporting roller in an end position of the at least one guide rail against a transverse force acting laterally, i.e. substantially parallel to the first rotation axis.

Some embodiments are directed to a vehicle door assembly that includes a vehicle door, which defines an interior and is connected to the motor by the linkage, such that actuation of the actuator engages the motor, which thereby moves the vehicle door via the linkage. The vehicle door assembly also includes a powered door override. At least a portion of the powered door override can be disposed within the interior of the vehicle door. The powered door override is configured to disconnect the linkage from the motor so as to isolate the motor from the vehicle door and thereby enable the vehicle door to be moved manually. An interior panel is connected to the vehicle door so as to cover at least a portion of the interior of the vehicle door, such that the powered door override is at least partially enclosed between the interior panel and the vehicle door.

A door opening and closing device for a refrigerator includes a door coupled to a main body, an opening and closing unit including a drive unit for generating rotational force by means of a motor and a door rotating mechanism for opening or closing the door, a device for measuring a back electromotive force generated from the motor, a power circuit connected for supplying power to the motor, a circuit for transmitting back electromotive force of the motor to the device, a control switch for selectively connecting the motor to the circuit or the power circuit, and a control unit for connecting the control switch to the power circuit when the motor is activated, and connecting the control switch to the circuit and opening or closing the door when the motor is deactivated, wherein the control unit closes the door when a predetermined back electromotive force is input to the device.

A drive assembly, in particular for driving a flap (5), includes a hinge assembly (2), comprising a first hinge part (3) connectable to a vehicle body and a second hinge part (4) connectable to a vehicle flap (5), a joint assembly (7) comprising at least a first joint part (8) hingedly connecting said first hinge part (3) with said second hinge part (4) and a first actuator (10) for driving the second hinge part (4) to move between an opened and a closed position during a normal operation. The first actuator (10) has a first end (10a) coupleable to a vehicle body pivotally about a first pivot axis (P1) and a second end (10b). The drive assembly also includes a bearing element connected (16) to the first actuator (10) and a coupling assembly (14) for coupling the first actuator (10) to the hinge assembly (2), comprising a first coupling part (15) having a first end (15a) and a second end (15b). The first end (15a) of the first coupling part (15) is coupled to one of the second hinge part (4) and first joint part (8) pivotally about a second pivot axis (P2). The bearing element (16) of the first actuator (10) is coupled to the second end (15b) of the first coupling part (15) pivotally about a third pivot axis (P3) spaced apart from the second pivot axis (P2). The drive assembly provides a possibility to move a vehicle flap drivingly between a closed and an opened position and further provides a reliable pedestrian protection function.

A vehicle includes a chassis, a door track, a door operatively connected to the door track and adapted to move between a closed position and an open position, and a hinge assembly coupled to the door. The hinge assembly is movably coupled to the door track and includes a first bracket coupled to the door, a second bracket coupled to the first bracket, and a transport assembly coupled to the second bracket and adapted to move along the door track as the door moves between the open and closed positions. The transport assembly includes a coupling member for releasably coupling the second bracket to the transport assembly. Upon movement of the second bracket from the first position to the second position, the door moves to an extended open position with respect to the door track.

A backplate for a door actuator includes at least one first mounting element and a second mounting element, wherein one of the two mounting elements is formed for fastening to a mounting surface, in particular door, casing or wall, and the other mounting element is formed for receiving the door actuator. The backplate also includes, at least one connecting assembly, which in a retaining position, keeps the two mounting elements together and, in a release position, does not keep the two mounting elements together, and at least one shape memory assembly with a shape memory element made from shape memory material, wherein, upon thermal activation, the shape memory assembly moves the connecting assembly to the release position.

The invention concerns a drive unit for moving a door relative to a door's opening. The drive unit comprises a drive motor and a wheel transmission assembly arranged for transfer of power to a drive wheel configured for engagement with a running surface for moving the door. The wheel transmission comprises a transfer wheel driven by the drive motor. A movable wheel carrier comprises a first running wheel and a second running wheel arranged in in engagement with the transfer wheel. The movable wheel carrier is arranged for displacement between a free wheel position where the first and second running wheel are arranged disengaged from the drive wheel for no power transfer to occur from the drive motor to the drive wheel, at least one running position where either of the first and second running wheel is positioned in engagement with the drive wheel for the transfer of power from the drive motor to the drive wheel.